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Winter or Summer in Iceland? Here's How to Choose

When you dream of Iceland, do you see lush green meadows or frozen ice fields? Do envision yourself watching the sunrise at three in the morning or watching the Northern Lights dance at eleven pm? Iceland has much to offer travelers visiting in both winter and summer. How do you choose which option is best for you?

Our list of pros and cons regarding traveling to Iceland in each season is here to help; once you read, feel free to message us with any questions directly.

Want to make the most out of your trip? Tap into our network of local travel planners—Heroes—who build unique, locally-curated trip plans, designed just for you. Get started.

Iceland in the winter

Pros:

It’s not as cold as you think. Because of the warm Gulf Stream, temperatures tend to remain around freezing on even the coldest days of the year.

Winter is the best time to see the Northern Lights because of the long hours of darkness.

It’s the off-season so car rentals, flights, and accommodations are cheaper than in the summer.

Christmas and New Year’s are wonderful holidays to spend in Iceland. Icelanders celebrate Christmas from December 24th until January 6th with food, bonfires, fireworks, and gifts from the 13 Yule Lads.

Cons:

The weather is especially unpredictable. Even though the temperature is fairly constant, there is plenty of snow, ice, and wind throughout the winter.

Cons:

Iceland in the summer can be very crowded because it is the primary tourism season.

Have more questions about your first trip to Iceland? Here is a list of local Iceland Travel Experts who can help you or you can message us any questions you have. And before your trip, make sure to check out: